Christmas trees around the world

The Christmas tree has a rich history, from evergreen trees to symbolise eternal life in Ancient Egypt to tree worship by pagan Europeans. The modern version has its origins in Germany, where the song “O Tannenbaum” is still a festive favourite.

Today the traditional tree with lights and decorations appears in cities including Washington, Moscow and Beirut. Alternatives range from recycled rubbish in Mexico City to old window frames in Rakvere, Estonia.

Whatever the shape or size, the message is the same: Merry Christmas.

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Map

10 Dec 2015. Monte Carlo, Monaco. Reuters/Eric Gaillard

Christmas trees frame the Monte Carlo Casino as part of seasonal decorations in Monaco.

6 Dec 2015. Tokyo, Japan. Reuters/Yuya Shino

A Christmas tree stands in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2nd R) in Tokyo's Shinjuku business district.

4 Dec 2015. Monterrey, Mexico. Reuters/Daniel Becerril

A couple hugs while standing near a Christmas tree made from plastic bins and hampers outside the Museum of History in Monterrey, Mexico.

14 Dec 2015. Singapore, Singapore. Reuters/Edgar Su

Supertree structures stand in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.

12 Dec 2015. London, United Kingdom. Reuters/Neil Hall

People skate past a Christmas tree on an ice rink at Somerset House in London.

2 Dec 2015. New York, United States. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

Holiday lights shine on the 83rd Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York.

15 Dec 2015. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters/Sergio Moraes

Rio's Christmas tree is pictured at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

14 Dec 2015. Managua, Nicaragua. Reuters/Oswaldo Rivas

A 78-metre-high Christmas tree is seen in Juan Pablo II Square in Managua, Nicaragua.

10 Dec 2015. Rome, Italy. Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

A Christmas tree is seen between ancient ruins in downtown Rome, Italy.

12 Dec 2015. Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters/Jamal Saidi

A Christmas tree designed by Lebanese designer Elie Saab is seen in front of al Amin mosque in Beirut, Lebanon.

25 Nov 2015. Byblos, Lebanon. Reuters/Mohamed Azakir

A Christmas tree is seen in Byblos, north of Beirut, Lebanon.

15 Dec 2015. Damascus, Syria. Reuters/Omar Sanadiki

Christmas holiday lights hang from trees in the ancient quarter of Bab-Sharqi in Damascus, Syria.

14 Dec 2015. Tbilisi, Georgia. Reuters/David Mdzinarishvili

Cars drive on a street illuminated with Christmas lights in Tbilisi, Georgia.

14 Dec 2015. Moscow, Russia. Reuters/Maxim Shemetov

Young women walk past a Christmas tree in a square in central Moscow, Russia.

29 Nov 2015. Rakvere, Estonia. Reuters/Ints Kalnins

A Christmas tree made of 121 old wooden-framed, coloured windows, built by local carpentry students, is seen in Rakvere, Estonia.

16 Dec 2015. Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Reuters/Luc Gnago

A Christmas tree stands near Saint Paul cathedral in the business area of Plateau in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

9 Dec 2015. Lagos, Nigeria. Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye

A Christmas tree stands on a roundabout in the Victoria Island district of Lagos, Nigeria.

10 Dec 2015. Berlin, Germany. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch

A Christmas tree is seen in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.

2 Dec 2015. Washington, United States. Reuters/Joshua Roberts

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree stands after the lighting ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington. The 74-foot Lutz spruce tree comes from Alaska’s Chugach National Forest.

4 Dec 2015. Athens, Greece. Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis

A Christmas tree is seen in Syntagma Square in front of the parliament building in Athens, Greece.

7 Dec 2015. Lima, Peru. Reuters/Mariana Bazo

A Christmas decoration stands in front of the Cathedral in Lima, Peru.

7 Dec 2015. Bogota, Colombia. Reuters/John Vizcaino

A Christmas tree stands in Simon Bolivar Park in Bogota, Colombia. Colombians light candles on December 7 to mark the start of Christmas festivities.

28 Nov 2015. Prague, Czech Republic. Reuters/David W Cerny

A Christmas tree is illuminated as the traditional Christmas market opens in the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic.